Ideas How the fear of fire is taking control of us
May 27, 2025
John Vaillant, a Vancouver author and journalist known for his book *Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast*, discusses our complex relationship with fire. He highlights fire's role in human evolution and its current threat as climate change escalates wildfires. Vaillant examines incidents like the Fort McMurray disaster, stressing the dual nature of fire as both a tool and a danger. He also emphasizes the urgent need for communities to adapt to increasing fire risks and rethink our reliance on fossil fuels in the face of changing ecosystems.
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Fire's Role in Human Evolution
- Fire was a catalyst for human evolution and civilization by providing light, heat, and protection from predators.
- We are biologically and culturally wired to respond to and harness fire's energy.
Fire as a Living Predator
- Fire behaves like a living predator with mobility, appetite, and adaptability but lacks a heart or soul.
- Humans share traits with fire, making us kin in a complex relationship of control and consequence.
Fire as Human Superpower
- Fire is our superpower, an external energy that extends human capabilities like light and protection.
- Cooked food from fire effectively became a pre-digested source of nutrition, critical to our development.